Checking device for self-service stores



Patented Aug. 25, 1953 OFF-ICE CHECKING DEVICE FOR SELF-SERVICE STORES Marshall 0. Bessonette, Medford, Oreg.

Application July 13, 1951, Serial No. 236,552

7 Claims. (Cl. 186-1) This invention relates to a device for checking articles purchased in a self-service store and has for its principal object the provision of a device for conveying both the goods selected by a purchaser and the purchaser himself to and from a checking station at which the articles are checked and paid for.

Heretofore various devices have been employed for conveying goods from a loading point past a checking station at which the prices of the goods are tabulated. Most of these prior art devices employ a conveyor on which goods are placed by an operator or by the purchaser himself. A checker positioned at a checking station tabulates the prices of the goods as they move past him or as they are called out by another operator. Another system is to place the goods on a revolving table and rotate the goods toward a checking station at which their prices are tabulated.

Although such prior art devices have been employed to advantage in moving large quantities of goods past the checking station their use does.

not improve the comfort of the purchaser in any respect since he still must stand in line and wait to be checked out. In some installations the customer is even put to work unloading his shopping basket and loading the conveyor means of whatever nature is employed.

By the present invention the purchaser is permitted to be seated while the purchaser who precedes him is checked out and he remains seated during the time his purchases are tabulated and paid for. If required, the time during which the succeeding purchaser is checked out is also available if the purchaser wishes to remain seated while his goods are being boxed or placed in bags.

By permitting the purchaser to be seated during the time his goods are tabulated the public relations of a store are greatly enhanced especially since the purchaser is generally tired after serving himself and resents waiting for others to be checked out.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a checking device which is relatively inexpensive to make and to maintain and which does not require the operation of complicated machinery,

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following specification and drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the checking device T of the present invention showing a cash register alongside the same and indicating a portion of the device as taken generally along lines 2-2 of 2. Fig. 1 and showing the cash register and braking device in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the invention showing a conventional wheeled shopping basket in one of the compartments and with the floor or the store removed for clarity.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the braking device with the floor of the store removed for clarity.

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the braking device as taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

In detail the present invention comprises a horizontally disposed circular platform or turntable I the upper surface of which is generallycoplanar with the walking surface of the fioor 2 of the store in which the device is installed. A circular opening 3 may be out in the floor 2 for receiving the platform I or, in new construction, such an opening may be formed in the floor during building.

The platform I is preferably placed between the self-service area D and the exit area E so that movement of goods and customers is from the self-service area to the exit area. It will be understood that an entrance (not shown) is provided into the self-service area where the purchasers select the desired goods and the only exits from the self-service area are through the checking stations. Only one checking station will be described herein but it will be understood that additional checking stations may be provided-the number required depending upon the activity of the particular store. It should be noted at this point that conventional checking stations past which the purchasers walk with their purchases may also be employed in conjunction with the present invention. Such conventional checking stations are particularly .suitable in stores employing the present invention because they may be employed as express lanes; that is, for purchasers who have purchased only a few articles and wish to have their goods checked as quickly as possible. The present invention lends itself particularly to use by purchasers having relatively large purchases but may also be employed by all purchasers.

Extending vertically upwardly from the platform I and disposed generally radially thereof are three partitions 6 which divide the platform I into three identical compartments A, B and C. It will be understood that a different number of compartments may be employed, but three is preferred as will be subsequentlyexplained later on in greater detail.

Inasmuch as the compartments are identical in all respects only one will be described in detail and corresponding elements of the different compartments will be referred to by the same number in the drawings and in the following description.

The partitions 6 are spaced radially outwardly of the center of the platform I at their inner ends so as to form a space I therebetween. When three partitions 6 are employed, the space adjacent the center of the platform is triangular in cross-section and is adapted to receive a vertically disposed post 8 therein. The cross-section of post 8 is an equilateral triangle and the inner ends of partitions 6 may be nailed to said post along its three longitudinally extending sides or otherwise secured in any convenient manner. The partitions 6 are also secured along their lower edges to the upper surface of the platform I so that the partitions 6, the central post 8 and the circular platform I become a rigid unit.

On one side of each of the partitions 6 is an elongated seat or bench II) which comprises a horizontal seat portion I I projecting horizontally outwardly from partition 6 and rigidly secured thereto and a generally vertically disposed support I2 extending between the outer end of seat portion II and the platform I. Preferably an elongatd cushion I3 is placed on top of the seat portion II. By the above described structure it will be seen that the seat I is substantially equal to the radius of the platform I and if the plat form is made about nine feet in diameter sufficient space is provided on the seat for two or three persons. A backrest I I of cushioned material may be secured to the partition 8 over the seat I0, and a side rest I5 may be positioned over the inner end of the seat II] and secured to the adjacent partition 6 which is opposite the seat II].

By the above structure it will be apparent that the compartments A, B and C open radially outwardly of the platform I and are adapted to receive a purchaser or purchasers from the floor 2 together with a wheeled shopping basket I"! (Fig. 2). The upper surface of the platform I is made flush with the upper surface of the floor 2 so that a conventional wheeled shopping basket I! may be rolled onto the platform I.

A counter extends horizontally outwardly from the side of each partition 6 which is opposite the side to which the seat I!) is secured. This counter 20 is supported at a distance from the platform I about equal to the height of the wheeled shopping basket Il. One edge of the counter 29 is directed radially outwardly of the platform I and this edge is formed to a radius preferably about equal to the radius of the platform I so as to provide the maximum working area without overhanging said platform. The edge of counter 26 opposite from edge 2| is formed adjacent the partition 6 to which it is secured with a relatively short straight portion 22 which is parallel to seat l0 and spaced slightly outwardly therefrom (Fig. 1) so as to permit a person to slide into the inner end of seat II) which is adjacent the intersection of adjacent partitions 6. The radially inwardly directed edge of the counter 20 then extends generally radially outwardly of the platform I but is curved slightly as at 23.

Between the radially outwardly directed edge 2| of counter 20 and the generally radially inwardly directed edges 22, 23, the counter 20 is formed with a pair of angularly disposed intersecting edges 25, 25 forming a reentrant angle in counter 20 for receiving the forward portion of the wheeled shopping basket ll. The edge 25 is preferably longer than the edge 25 and is adapted to be engaged by the right lateral side of a rectangular basket. The right side being the side to the right of the user as he moves the basket forward. The edge 25 is adapted to be engaged by the forward end of the wheeled ca ket I! so the basket may be positioned by the purchaser with its wheels on the platform I. Thus it is seen that the reentrant angle formed by the edges 25, 28 provides a guide from which the basket IT may be properly positioned on the platform I with a minimum of eifort.

By the above described structure a purchaser approaching the device from the self-service area D may enter the compartment C with his basket, place his basket ll against the edges 25, 26 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and sit down on the seat III. Other members of the shopping party may also be seated on the seat Ii). When compartment C is in a position in which it opens radially outwardly into the self-service area D, the compartment A will be between the selfservic area D and the exit area E (Fig. 1) so that the customer in compartment A may have his purchases tabulated while the succeeding purchaser is seated in compartment C.

A cash register 38 is stationarily supported at a suitable level off the floor 2 by means of a pedestal 3! at a point adjacent the forward end of the basket I? when the compartment A is in the position of Fig. l. A checking operator standing in front of the cash register 33 at station R. (Fig. 1) may remove the goods from basket I1 and place them on counter 20 and at the same time tabulate the prices of the same. It will be noted that during the checking operation a purchaser seated on seat II! may view the prices on the cash register registered during the checking process.

After the purchasers check is presented to him and payment is made, the platform I is adapted to be rotated about a third of a revolution in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. l to bring the next compartment, C, alongside the checking station. When the platform is so rotated the punchaser in compartment A who has already paid for his goods may remain seated while another operator at station S in the exit area places his goods in a box or bag. When the goods are packaged the purchaser may then rise and leave with his goods or have them carried out by the operator at station S. The counter 29 is supported on a cabinet I3 which may be provided with shelves I9 for the storage of bags used by the operator at station S.

It will be apparent that the checking process normally takes a longer time than it takes for the purchaser to enter a compartment and for the operator at station S to package the goods. The checking operation for one compartment is therefore not slowed down by the presence of purchasers in adjacent compartments and the resulting operation is smooth and fast.

It is also pertinent to note that the platform I may be moved any amount at the discretion of the checker at station R. In this manner the platform may be rotated slightly clockwise from the position of Fig. 1 if this is necessary for the checker to reach an article at the rear end of the basket H. The provision of the counter 20 is convenient if a purchaser wished to write a check in payment of his goods. Furthermore it i not necessary that the checker wait until payment is actually made before rotating the platform as the purchaser may pay as he leaves his compartment 7 very little effort.

after the checker has already started to check the goods of the next customer.

The platform I is centrally supportedfor rotation on a suitable thrust bearing generally designated 32. The inner race 33 of bearing 32 is rigidly secured at its lower end to a steel plate 34 which in turn may be rigidly secured by bolts 35 to a concrete foundation 36. Theouter race 31 of bearing 32 may be rigidly secured at its upper end to a plate 38 which in turn is secured,

as by lag screws 39, to the under side of platform I. Extending radially outwardly from the bearing32 and rigidly secured at their inner ends to outer race 3'! are a plurality of stiffeners 40 which may be structural steel Ts. The horizontally disposed flanges M of T 46 may be secured as by lag screws 42 to the underside of platform I and the webs 43 of Ts 4B are preferably tapered in a direction away from bearing 32 as shown in Fig. 1 to reduce weight.

Secured around the periphery of the platform I is a steel hoop 46 which may be rigidly secured as by welding to the outer ends of Ts 4|]. The upper edge of hoop 46 is preferably about flush with the upper surface of platform I and its width or vertical extent is sufiicient to extend well below the under side of floor 2 (Fig. 2). Under the floor 2 adjacent the cash register 30 is a brake mechanism generally designated 41 (Figs. 4, 5) which is adapted to frictionally engage the hoop 46 for preventing movement of the platform when desired. This brake 41 comprises a length of brake lining 48 which need not be more than about twelve inches long and which is secured in the conventional manner by rivets to a steel backing strip 49. A pair of vertically disposed flat bars 5!! are positioned with their upper ends adjacent but spaced radially outwardly from the backing strips 49 and are provided with horizontal extensions 5I which are secured as by welding to the backing strips 49. The lower ends of the flat bars 50 are apertured for receiving a horizontally extending shaft 53 which is generally parallel to the brake lining 48 and which is rigidly secured at its ends to supports 54 which may be fixedly secured'in any convenient manner to the store foundation. Between the flat bars 50 and the supports 54 torsion springs 55 surround shaft 53 and 'coact between fixed supports 54 and the vertically extending flat bars 50 to urge the brake lining 48 toward the hoop 46 at all times. Extending horizontally outwardly from the lower ends of flat bars 50 and rigidly secured thereto are a pair of arms 56 which are secured together at their outer ends by an angle bar cross piece 51. Secured to the upper bar of cross piece 51 is a clevis 58 which is adapted to receive a pin 59 secured to the lower end of an upwardly extending link 60. This link 60 extends through an opening SI in floor 2 and is provided at its upper end with a pedal 62 which is adapted to be actuated by the foot of the checking operator at station R (Figs. 1, 2). The floor 2 is provided with a depression 63 within which the pedal 62 is contained at all times so as to prevent accidental engagement of the same.

By the above described structure the platform I is under the control of the checker at all times and cannot be moved except when the pedal 52 is depressed. The bearing 32 is preferably of a ball or roller bearing type so as to minimize frictional resistance to rotation. If bearing 32 is properly selected it is a simple matter for the checkerto manually rotate the platform I with Furthermore there is little tendency for the platform to'rock on bearing 32 if the latter is sufficiently large. When purchasers are moving on and off the platform I the brake 41 is always in engagement with the platform and this helps to prevent the platform from rocking.

For the purpose of separating the self-service area D from the exit area E a conventional barrier or railing 4 may be installed adjacent the device. Such a separatin means is indicated at 4 in Fig. 1 by dotted lines. On the other hand if several checking platforms are employed they may be positioned in a row so that the cash register 30 and the checking operator are between adjacent platforms. A portion of an adjacent platform is indicated by dotted lines at 5 in Fig. 1 on the side of the platform I opposite the separating railing 4.

It will be apparent that conventional checking stations (not shown) may also be provided between the self-service area D and the exit area E for purchasers who have bought only a few articles. Heretofore the designation of one of several checking lanes as an express lane for purchasers having a maximum of say five articles, has not been satisfactory because the checker at the express lane may be idle at times and if he refuses to check the purchases of a customer who transfers from a regular lane, such customer generally becomes incensed. On the other hand if he accepts such a purchaser the others who have been standing in the regular lanes are justified in complaining.

When the present invention is employed along with conventional checking stations purchasers have the choice between being seated during the checking process or standing. If a customer has selected only a few articles he generally prefers to use the conventional lanes and permit others who have a greater quantity of goods to be seated. Similarly a customer who has a large number of goods generally welcomes the opportunity to sit down. Thus there is an automatic selection between the rotating platforms and the conventional checking station and the result is an extremely smooth operation.

The revolving platform virtually becomes a revolving conveyor or transfer device between the supply area D and the exit area E on which the person and goods to be checked are carried past the barrier dividing the two areas.

I claim:

1. In a self-service store checking system, a horizontally disposed circular platform generally coplanar with the floor of said store, means supporting said platform for rotation about a central vertical axis, means dividing said platform into a plurality of radially outwardly opening com partments each adapted to receive a wheeled basket and a purchaser, a stationary checking station alongside said platform for an operator for checking articles bought by such purchaser and for receiving payment therefor, said plat form being adapted to be moved intermittently for successively registering said compartments with said checking station.

2. In a self-service store checking system a horizontally disposed circular platform generally coplanar with the floor of said store, means supporting said platform for rotation about a central vertical axis, means dividing said platform into a plurality of radially outwardly opening compartments each adapted to receive a wheeled basket and a purchaser, a stationary checking station alongside said platform for an f operator for checking articles bought by such purchaser and for receiving payment therefor, said platform being adapted to be moved intermittently for successively registering said cornpartments with said checking station, and means for preventing rotation of said platform when a compartment is in registration with said checking station.

3. In a self-service store checking system a horizontally disposed circular platform generally coplanar with the floor of said store, means supporting said platform for rotation about a central vertical axis, means dividing said platform into a plurality of radially outwardly opening compartments each adapted to receive a wheeled basket and a purchaser, a stationary checking station alongside said platform for an operator for checking articles bought by such purchaser and for receiving payment therefor, said platform being adapted to be moved intermittently for successively registering said compartments 'with said checking station, said means dividing said platform comprising a plurality of vertically disposed partitions extending generally radially of said platform and secured at their lower ends to the latter, a seat for a purchaser along one side of each of said partitions and a counter along the opposite side thereof, each of said counters being provided with a pair of angularly disposed side edges adapted to engage a pair of adjacent sides of said basket for positioning the latter within a compartment with its wheels on said platform.

4. In a self-service store checking system a horizontally disposed circular platform generally of said platform and secured at their lower ends to the latter, a seat for a purchaser along one side of each of said partitions and a counter along the opposite side thereof, each of said counters being provided with a pair of angularly disposed side edges adapted to engage a pair of adjacent sides of said basket for positioning the latter within a compartment with its wheels on said platform, each of said seats extending generally radially of said platform and substantially along the length of said partitions for seating a plurality of persons thereon said counter being curved along its radially outwardly directed edge to conform to the curvature of said platform, the radially inwardly directed edge of said counter being adjacent the outer edge of said seat whereby a person may be seated adjacent the center of said platform with his legs under said counter,

said angularly disposed side edges being between said outwardly directed edge and said inwardly directed edge whereby a wheeled basket may be positioned between said seat and said counter adjacent the periphery of said platform.

5. In a self-service store having a self-service area and an exit through which purchasers may leave the store with their purchases, a checking coplanar with the floor of said store, and positioned between said area and said exit means supporting said platform for rotation about a central vertical axis, means dividing said platform into three radially outwardly opening compartments each adapted to receive a Wheeled basket and a purchaser from said area, a stationary checking station alongside said platform and between said area and said exit for an operator for checking articles bought by said purchaser and for receiving payment therefor, said platform being adapted to be moved intermittently for successively registering said compartments with said checking station, means for preventing rotation of said platform when one of said compartments is in registration with said checking station with the remainder of said compartments opening radially outwardly into said self-service area and said exit respectively.

6. In a self-service store having a self-service area and an exit through which purchasers may leave the store with their purchases, a checking device comprising a circular platform generally coplanar with the floor of said store, and positioned between said area and said exit means supporting said platform for rotation about a central vertical axis, means dividing said platform into three radially outwardly opening compartments each adapted to receive a wheeled basket and a purchaser from said area, a stationary checking station alongside said platform and between said area and said exit for an operator for checking articles bought by said purchaser and for receiving payment therefor, said platform being adapted to be moved intermittently for successively registering said compartments with said checking station, means for preventing rotation of said platform when one of said compartments is in registration with said checking station with the remainder of said compartments opening radially outwardly into said self-service area and said exit respectively, said means for preventing rotation of said platform comprising a braking member operable by said operator and adapted to frictionally engage said platform, means for urging said element against said platform at all times and a pedal adjacent the foot of said operator and operatively connected with said element for releasing the latter to permit rotation of said platform by said operator.

7. In a self-serving store having a self-service supply area and an exit area having coplanar floors and a passageway between said areas having a circular floor section coplanar with said floors and supported for revolution about a vertical axis, separate compartments on said section each adapted to receive a customer and a wheel mounted vehicle for such customers purchases, means for so supporting said floor section, and a barrier between said areas extending from points at opposite sides of said section, said barrier including a checking station stationary relative to said section for checking purchases carried by the section therepast.

MARSHALL O. BESiS ONE'I'IE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 746,615 Washburn Dec. 8, 1903 1,377,969 Muntean May 10, 1921 1,400,948 Florence Dec. 20, 1921 1,412,254 Meyer Apr. 11, 1922 1,973,005 Lemmon Sept. 11, 1934 

